NaBloPoMo-or my writing resolution!

waving...

So I have had a serious case of the writer's block the past few months.  And as I'm wont to do, instead of confronting my stressors, I hide in a cave.  With blogging that translated to not logging in.  Not writing.  Not reading my favorite blogs and commenting on them.  Not tweeting to my favorite bloggers.  And then feeling uber guilty about all of this because I love blogging.  And I love my fellow bloggers.  So I decided to add a teensy resolution to my annual-take each day one day at a time-resolution.  I am joining up with BlogHer's NaBloPoMo's January challenge and pledging to get back on the writing wagon.  So I missed day one (whoops!).  But in the spirit of full disclosure, I was recovering yesterday.  Here is what I was recovering from...

Chookooloonks Rum Punch

I did know what I was doing when I made it.  I even posted on twitter to Karen that I was making it.  She warned me to take keys of our guests upon arrival.  Problem for me was that I wasn't driving anywhere.  And it tasted so good.  So.  Good.  And we were having so much fun.  Laughing so hard.  And our kids kept getting more hysterical as the night wore on.  So yesterday I was recovering from a wee bit too much of the punch.  Or something like that.

Today the holiday decor is coming down as our first quasi-snowfall is coming down.  I don't think it can be counted as a real snowfall, as I still see blades of grass and cars moving along.  Nope, until the drifts cover our porch and the county sheriff department declares snow emergencies, it isn't real.  But it does look pretty outside today.  And I'm back at the keyboard, which does feel rather lovely.  I hope I haven't lost everyone!

Happy 2012 from the middle!  See y'all tomorrow!

"Working" out

Let me just start this post today by saying one thing.


WAAAAHHHHHHH!


There.  It's out there.  I hate working out.  It has the word "working" in it.  I hate sweating.  I hate getting all winded.  I hate sore muscles.  I hate exertion.  The whole thing is just meh to me.  I know there are those of you out there who are poised, fingertips to keyboards, ready to strike at the girl who is whining about working out.  You're ready to extol to me the many virtues of a work-out.  You're ready to tell me how much better I'll feel after I'm finished.  How I'll get those endorphins.  How much healthier I'll be.  Blah, blah, blah.  I get it.  


The thing is...I have been there.  I have, at various points in my life, gone to the Rec Center when in college, been a part-time runner, been an avid walker, joined a gym and hired a personal trainer, utilized my elliptical trainer months at a time.  Each stint working out and I have had, I do feel better when not actually "working out."  I like being strong.  I like having energy.  I just loathe what I have to do to be there.  I want someone to invent a pill, a drink, or something that gives me all the benefits without the massive time commitment.  Can't someone get on that?  I mean, my day starts when my alarm goes off at 5am.  That is o'dark hundred for those of you who aren't aware.  And this non-morning person doesn't drag her butt out of bed for 30 minutes of snooze button hitting bliss.  I have to be out the door by 6:40.  When I get home from work I'm usually on my own with the boy until my husband arrives much later.  And let's just say, Jack isn't too forgiving of me trying to use my yoga DVD or the 30 day shred when he wants to watch Nick Jr and spend time with mom.  That pushes this to 8:30.  People, by then my eyelids are held open by toothpicks and my body is screaming for a hot bath and bed.  I just don't know how other people do it.  Get up at 4am?  Um, no.  Work out at 10:00pm?  Not happening.  


Luckily for me, summer is coming.  Because I read chookooloonks yesterday and she was all about the schedule.  Which I'm all about.  So in a few weeks, I'm posting my schedule here.  My summer vacation schedule.  It will include the following items:
Midwestern Modern Momma
Social Media Work
Fitness
Cooking
Gardening
Jack & Play


The rest will be left to the imagination...it is vacation, after all!  


Done with the rant...thanks for staying with me this long.  If you're still here, and have ideas on awesome workout videos, send them my way.  I'm open to suggestions!

Finding Balance

This weekend was blissful. I got to spend it at home with my favorite two men, relaxing some, cooking some, cleaning some, even (yes) doing a little laundry.  I didn't realize just how depleted my batteries had become.  What really got me thinking about this was the difference between my yoga workout earlier this week and today.


I started using Body by Bethenny workout DVD for her 40 minute yoga workout, and am loving it.  (side note: I have no affiliation with Bethenny Frankel. Received no "free" copy. She wouldn't know me from Adam. I'm positive of that)  When I was working out earlier this week, it felt wonderful, but very wobbly.  But today, after a weekend of recharging and rest, I was able to find my balance and hold each pose much better.


Here's to a good week everyone.  I wish you all a week filled with balance, good and hard work, laughter, and love.

On Becoming a Morning Person

I'm wouldn't classify myself a morning person. I'm more of a "hit the snooze button 10 times-don't talk to me until I get my first coffee-would rather be in my warm comfy bed" person. However, I love mornings.


I know, I'm kind of a weirdo. (side-note: does anyone say "weirdo" anymore?)


Once I'm up, out of bed, dressed, and have my mug of coffee in hand, I love everything about mornings. I love watching the sunrise as I drive across the countryside to work. I love my summer mornings at home on the screen porch. I love easing into the day reading through my favorite blogs, news sites, an watching a few videos. I turn on the radio and get my brain ready for work.


This article, by Pilar Gerasimo I found (in bed this morning reading on my iPhone as I was trying not to get up) made me think that maybe it isn't that I'm not a morning person. Maybe I'm just going about it all the wrong way. I do know that I'm not a waking-up person. But if I had a morning routine like Pilar's, I may not even have a problem dragging my butt out of bed. So I'm going to think on this. I'm going to see what I can come up with that I'll do each morning-summers included-that will motivate me to not hit the snooze button, but get up, move and have a soft entry into my day.


Who knows, maybe I will become a morning person after all?

Baby Steps

Today, I am lacking in motivation to do anything.  Anything productive.  Anything non-productive.  Just anything.  I think it has something to do with last week's 'mysterious illness trying to kill me' coupled with a few snow days, a dash of Jack's birthday party, and staying up past my bedtime to live tweet the Oscars.  Today I just want to veg.

But I need to function, work, and be productive.  It is the last day of February! In my mind, the seasons follow months, not dates.  Today is the last day of winter.  Spring starts on March 1.  I know...blah, blah, blah, the equinox isn't for 20 odd days yet.  But with March comes the thaws, the wind, the rains.  By the end of the month we have usually seen at least one good warm day.  By the end of this week, our local custard stand, Mel-o-Creme even opens!  This is all reason to hope for springtime warmth.

Today, I am going to push myself to take baby steps.  I'm going to feign inspriation to be productive.  I don't feel it, but maybe the whole "fake it till you make it" notion will work out.  I was thinking a little bit about my favorite place in the world besides home-Tybee Island-and their sea turtles.  Those little guys try so hard to get where they're going, and somehow manage to do it.  Well, if they can, I guess I'll muster the energy to organize this desk, tackle a few tasks, and feel good about my afternoon.  How about you?



My inspiration, care of Sunshine Palate & Carol.



Winter Wonderland

It is sparkly, beautiful and lovely outside. If I wasn't tied to a bed (not literally! Dr.'s orders people...if you follow me on twitter you'll remember I have a Mysterious Illness Trying To Kill Me), I would be outside in my trusty boots photographing the trees that look as though they've been dipped in a sugary glaze, the powdery snowdrifts, and the wonderland-like effects the two together make. While I would embrace spring time like a long-lost relative, if she showed up today, I understand this is part of living in Ohio in February. March is soon, and with her comes the mud. About four years ago, our son was born. By the time I went back to work from maternity leave, the flowers were blooming, the grass was green and the sun was warm. Putting it in that perspective, I can handle a few more snowstorms.


Hear that mother nature-I said a FEW.


Just making sure you're listening!

The Round Up

So, how did you do?  It is January second, and I'm talking about your resolutions from 2010.  Did y'all stick to 'em?  Did y'all fall flat on your faces?  Somewhere in the happy middle ground?  I use the weekend of New Year's Day before I return to work to reflect, clean the holiday clutter out of our house, and think about how the past year went.  For a few years now I have made the same resolution, and will continue to do the same.  I resolve to live for the now and not the next.  I know...last post was about the exact same thing.  I won't bore you with the details about how I hope my 2011 will go.  But I have been reflecting a little on the past year.  This was a pretty amazing year for me.  No, I didn't celebrate any major milestones, but in many ways I feel much more settled, content, and real in my skin than I ever have before.  In the years to come, I hope to look back on 2010 as one of those pivotal years when I came into my own.  This was the year I fell in love with a little farm that supplied my family with oodles of good eats for almost half the year.  This year I worked to discover new and exciting food producers right in our region, and found that Ohio kicks ass!  This was the second season for our organic garden experiment, and the first we grew everything from seed.  On a few items I fell flat on my face, a few were mildly successful, and a few were outstanding.  This holiday season I sent our families home with baskets stuffed full of sauces/pickles/jams and a bottle of vodka that either I grew/made or sourced out in Ohio!  I became much more connected to our community, both close to home here and within the Midwest.  This was the year we watched our son grow from toddler to pre-schooler and run right onto a big yellow bus two days each week.  I also began to discover an incredible community of women online through mom bloggers, writers, tweeters, and more that  validate me each day and connect me to so many amazing resources.  


Yes, 2010 has been an amazing year.  I haven't even scratched the surface with all that was so great and wonderful for me.  I embrace the new year with all that I am, and look forward to its gifts, trials, and treasures to come.  

Fresh Starts

So, last night I became involved in the most amazing twitter movement via blogger, Karen Walrond...Badassery 2011.  My resolution for the past three New Year's has been to live for the now and not the next.  Well, I was inspired by her tweet: 

So my response was to place an addendum on my resolution:  "live for the now and not the next and to strive for badassery.  Always" 


Today, Karen defined what this is exactly.  I hope it inspires everyone out there as much as it has me.  Cheers to a new start, a new year, and to making a ruckus, badassery, and all the rest!  

Take care

This weekend has been one big pause for us.  A long sigh as we let out summertime warmth and let in autumn coolness.  We've done things around the house.  We've warn sweatpants.  It is a rare weekend when we don't stray far from the house during the school year, and honestly, we needed it.  The basement project moved forward a little.  Football was watched.  As I look at our calendar for the next few months, every weekend is full. Don't get me wrong, they're full of good things...family visits, excursions, holiday events, a little work, and fun. But it looks as though from now until the holiday season rolls around we will be running like crazy.  This was the time for the three of us to spend together.  Even our son knew it, as both mornings he crawled into our bed and declared that he "needed some lovin."  Sometimes everyone needs to take the time with their families and get the lovin they rightfully need and deserve.  Wouldn't the world be a better place if we all slowed down once in a while and took care of each other and ourselves?  Clearly our three-year old gets this.  I'm signing off now...I have some sewing to work on, a book I want to read today, and a boy who wants a little more lovin.  It's been a great weekend.